die  Begleitung

B1

Estimated CEFR level.

/bəˈɡlaɪtʊŋ/

🧐 What exactly does "die Begleitung" mean?

The word die Begleitung (feminine) has several meanings in German:

• Person(s) accompanying someone: This can be a single person or a group who goes with someone, often for protection, company, or as a partner/date. 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♂️➡️ (accompaniment, escort, companion)
• Musical context: The instrumental or vocal support for a soloist or main voice. 🎹🎻🎤 (accompaniment)
• Accompanying circumstance/phenomenon: Something that occurs together with or accompanies something else (e.g., symptoms of an illness, circumstances of an event). 📄➡️ (accompaniment, attendant circumstance)

It is always feminine and therefore always used with the article "die". ⚠️ There's no risk of confusion with other articles, as the word only exists as a feminine noun.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar of "die Begleitung" in Detail

"Begleitung" is a feminine noun. It ends in "-ung", which typically indicates feminine nouns in German.

Declension:

Example Sentences:

1. (Person) Der Präsident erschien in Begleitung seiner Frau.
   (The president appeared accompanied by his wife / in the company of his wife.)
2. (Music) Die Sängerin wurde von einer exzellenten Klavierbegleitung unterstützt.
   (The singer was supported by an excellent piano accompaniment.)
3. (Circumstance) Starke Kopfschmerzen sind eine häufige Begleitung dieser Grippe.
   (Severe headaches are a common accompaniment/symptom of this flu.)
4. (Plural, Person) Die Ministerin reiste mit mehreren Begleitungen ins Ausland.
   (The minister traveled abroad with several escorts/companions.)

💡 How to Use "Begleitung"?

The usage of "Begleitung" heavily depends on the context:

• Social Context: When talking about people going with someone. Example: "Er sucht eine Begleitung für die Oper." (He is looking for a companion/date for the opera.) This refers to a person. It can be formal (e.g., a diplomatic escort) or informal (friends, partner).
• Musical Context: When discussing music, "Begleitung" refers to the supporting instruments or voices. Example: "Die Gitarrenbegleitung war sehr dezent." (The guitar accompaniment was very subtle.)
• General/Abstract Context: Refers to phenomena or circumstances that accompany something else. Example: "Unter Begleitung von Protesten wurde das Gesetz verabschiedet." (The law was passed accompanied by protests.)

Comparison with similar words:

• Gefährte/Gefährtin (male/female companion): More about a person accompanying someone on a journey or through life, often implying an emotional bond.
• Eskorte (escort): Often more formal, implying protection or a ceremonial function.
• Untermalung (background music, underscoring): Similar to musical accompaniment but often more subtle, like background music in a film.

🧠 Mnemonics for "Begleitung"

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of the ending -> die Begleitung. Just like die Meinung (opinion) or die Hoffnung (hope).

Meaning Mnemonic: Think of something 'gliding alongside'. Be-gleit-ung: someone glides along with you (person), music glides along (musical accompaniment), circumstances glide along (accompanying phenomenon). The prefix be- often implies doing something *to* or *with* someone/something.

↔️ Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Gefährte is more personal than Begleitung. Eskorte often implies protection or formality.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Pianist den Sänger: "Brauchst du wirklich so laute Begleitung?"
Sagt der Sänger: "Nein, nur wenn ich singe!"

Translation:
The pianist asks the singer: "Do you really need such loud accompaniment?"
The singer says: "No, only when I'm singing!"

✍️ Poem about Accompaniment

Ob Mensch, ob Ton, ob stiller Gast,
Die Begleitung hält oft Rast.
Mal Schutz, mal Klang, mal nur dabei,
Macht manches erst komplett und frei.
Ein Weg zu zweit, ein Lied im Ohr,
Sie öffnet manches neue Tor.

Translation:
Be it person, sound, or silent guest,
The accompaniment often takes a rest.
Sometimes protection, sometimes sound, sometimes just along,
It makes some things complete and strong.
A path for two, a song in the ear,
It opens many a new door here.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich kann ein Mensch an deiner Seit' sein,
Musik, die klingt so wunderfein.
Ich bin ein Umstand, der geschieht,
wenn etwas anderes man sieht.

Wer oder was bin ich?

Translation:
I can be a person by your side,
Music that sounds so wonderfully fine.
I am a circumstance that occurs,
when something else one observes.

Who or what am I?

🧩 Other Information

Word Composition:

The word "Begleitung" is composed of:

• The prefix "be-", which often indicates doing an action *to* or *with* something/someone.
• The verb stem of "gleiten" (to glide, slide), here in the sense of going alongside, assisting.
• The suffix "-ung", which nominalizes the verb (turns it into a noun) and makes it feminine.

Interestingly, the verb "geleiten" (to escort, guide) is also derived from "gleiten", reinforcing the connection to the meaning.